Assignments 2007

Module A    /    Module B    /    Module C    /    Module D    /    Module F    /    Module G

MODULE A

Forced migration, racism, immigration, and xenophobia

Discuss how the four themes mentioned in the Module title are interlinked and how such inter-linkage have been reinforced in the wake of globalization particularly during the last two decades. 

OR

Prepare a report on refugee situation or that of internal displacement and reflect on how it is linked up with such issues as racism and xenophobia.

OR

Argue with the help of ethnographic studies why forced migration induced by partition is a continuing process rather than its product.   

OR

Discuss with suitable case studies the problems associated with the interpretation the phrase "well-founded fear".

(For Term Papers) 

MODULE B

Gender dimensions of forced migration, vulnerabilities, and justice  

How does the privileging of majoritarian, male and monolithic cultural values in the nation states deny the space for women refugees / displaces in situations of forced migration?

OR

Critically discuss whether the policies pursued by national and international actors have been adequate in addressing the specific issue of women refugees / displaces.

(For Term Papers) 

MODULE C

International, regional, and the national regimes of protection, sovereignty and the principle of responsibility  

It is said that the "Convention mandated protection for those whose civil and political rights are violated, without protecting persons whose socio-economic rights are at risk", Discuss the relevance and implications in the context of 'paradigm shift' in post-cold war era.

OR

Examine the lacunae in the 1951 Refugee Convention and how it could be addressed and gaps filled from other International Law provisions.

OR

Compare and contrast the relevance of International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law in the context of refugee protection.

OR

Critically analyse the role and responsibility of UNHCR vis-a vis its mandate of refugee protection in practice.

OR

Is UNHCR's durable solutions (eg. Resettlement, Local integration and Voluntary Repatriation, etc.) really durable to contemporary refugee problems, illustrate with your own case studies/ examples.

OR

Given the huge complexity in south asian region and all the States being non-signatory to the 51 convention or the 67 protocol, do they require develop its own legal regime for refugees or IDPs.

(For Term Papers) 

MODULE D

Internal displacement - causes, linkages, and responses  

Discuss whether the UN Guiding Principles influenced the policies of rehabilitation in South Asia.

OR

What are the special provisions for women IDPs in international regimes of protection and care of IDPs? How far have they helped the cause of women's rehabilitation and care?

OR

How can we reclaim voices of IDPs?

OR

What are the effects of globalization and urbanization on the poor in South Asia? What are the problems of the development paradigm accepted in South Asia vis a vis marginal population and displacement?

OR

Have you visited an IDP Camp? If yes, then discuss the situation of camp IDPs in South Asia? Can these camps be compared with penal colonies?

(For Term Papers) 

MODULE- F

Resource politics, environmental degradation, violence and internal displacement and forced migration

On the basis of your reading of Meghna Guhathakurta's article "Globalization, Class and Gender Relations: The Shrimp Industry in South-western Bangladesh," Report on the Workshop on Engendering R & R (both available in CRG website) and the chapter entitled "Shefali" in Marginal Nations, analyse how lack of control over resources have led to large-scale displacement of women?

OR

On reading "Development Induced Displacement in Pakistan," in Refugee Watch (available in CRG website) and "Pakistan: Development and Disaster" in Internal Displacement in South Asia, comment on how the developmental model that has been favoured by the Pakistani state have led to large-scale dispossession and displacement of people?

OR

On reading Sabyasachi Basu Ray Chaudhury's "Uprooted Twice: Refugees From the Chittagong Hill Tracts," in Refugees and the State do you agree that conflict in CHT is in the last resort a conflict over land.

(For Review Assignments)

MODULE G

Ethics of care and justice 

Review relevant sections on ethics and justice in B.S. Chimni's International Refugee Law: A Reader and comment on the importance of these two issues in rehabilitation and care of refugees.

OR

After reading Ranabir Samaddar's article on "Power, Fear, Ethics," in Refugee Watch critically discuss "fear" as a factor in the displacement of vulnerable groups.

OR

Critically analyse Peter Penz's article on "Development, displacement and International Ethics," and comment how ethical it is to displace people for reasons of development?

(For Review Assignments)